Graves Mountain in western Lincoln County, Georgia, is one of the most famous mineral collecting sites in the world. Since its discovery in the mid-1800s visitors have found some of the world’s largest and best rutile crystals, as well as exquisite twinned lazulite. Graves Mountain also produces beautiful pyrophyllite and iridescent hematite and goethite, plus scores of other minerals. Graves Mountain was actively mined for kyanite for ceramics beginning in 1960 and discontinued in late 1986. The mine is accessible to mineral collector during two open houses annually in May and October.
Tellus Science Museum‘s Director Emeritus, Jose Santamaria, researched and published a comprehensive (as of 2003) history of collecting and mining at Graves Mountain in the Winter 2003-2004 issue of Matrix: A History of Mineral Collecting (now out of print). The article is illustrated with photos of mining, miners, and the minerals found at Graves Mountain.
With the author’s permission, the entire Mineral History of Graves Mountain article is available for your enjoyment. The Winter 2003-2004 Matrix magazine was a double issue on the Mineral History of Georgia and features articles on the history of gold mining, the Cartersville mining district, corundum mining, and several others. While now out of print, copies of this special Georgia issue, as well as the Minerals of Georgia book, can be purchased at the Tellus Science Museum’s Museum Store.
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